Asked to move to a lesser office space

[Anonymous]

Similar thing happened to me and it stung, even though rationally I knew it wasn't a big deal.

The sting did fade/disappear after a couple of weeks so I wouldn't make a stink and just give it some time. It will fade, I promise!

[Anonymous]

I have a similar situation as OP. I had a great office that, during re org, became the office everyone wanted.

My boss asked me if I wanted to move. It was presented as a true choice because there was not any space in her area at the time anyway, as people were juggling spaces. I said no. I wanted to stay in my office. She went to bat for me, making sure I could retain my office, even though it was in a different building than she and the rest of the team were located. When the building was being renovated and everyone was moving to temporary spaces, I said I was ready to move permanently. which made my boss very happy.

At the same time, I went to 100% telework (temporarily) and now telework about half the time. It really didn't make sense for me to hold onto my office when I was planning to telework much of the time.

The only thing that bothered me about moving was the new space was a shared office with someone else who teleworks. I don't like sharing an office. That said, I didn't have a tantrum about it. Sure, it would bother me if the other person and I were in on the same day, but I just have to live with it (hasn't happened yet).

OP, just move and have a good attitude. Also, be grateful for telework because that is a perk. It doesn't matter what kind of office is there is you are only there half the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a similar situation as OP. I had a great office that, during re org, became the office everyone wanted.

My boss asked me if I wanted to move. It was presented as a true choice because there was not any space in her area at the time anyway, as people were juggling spaces. I said no. I wanted to stay in my office. She went to bat for me, making sure I could retain my office, even though it was in a different building than she and the rest of the team were located. When the building was being renovated and everyone was moving to temporary spaces, I said I was ready to move permanently. which made my boss very happy.

At the same time, I went to 100% telework (temporarily) and now telework about half the time. It really didn't make sense for me to hold onto my office when I was planning to telework much of the time.

The only thing that bothered me about moving was the new space was a shared office with someone else who teleworks. I don't like sharing an office. That said, I didn't have a tantrum about it. Sure, it would bother me if the other person and I were in on the same day, but I just have to live with it (hasn't happened yet).

OP, just move and have a good attitude. Also, be grateful for telework because that is a perk. It doesn't matter what kind of office is there is you are only there half the time.

Thank you for a respectful response.

[Anonymous]

You should ask your manager about this. its odd that you're on a different floor. I think it looks bad when telework people hog the nicer offices, but shouldn't this depend on your seniority? My old office had strict rules about what level job had which type of office.

[Anonymous]

I have to LOL at the people assuming OP was a woman because "they would never ask a male to move offices".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have to LOL at the people assuming OP was a woman because "they would never ask a male to move offices".

NP here...I am a 50something male; about 2 years ago, 20 years with the company, I was "asked" to give up my office. I was splitting my time between two sites (cube at the other site). The person asking me was the Admin Asst; I knew if I made a stink, I would be able to keep my office, but, sometimes, the optics can be really bad. So, I moved; A new hire (right out of college) got the office. Meanwhile, I was in a shared interior office.

When I came back full time to the one location, it took a few months, but I did end up with a nice, quiet office.

[Anonymous]

I think you should count your blessings in that your company still puts management staff in offices.

I worked for Fortune 500 company that put only senior directors and up in private (usually windowless) offices, while everyone else - from administrative assistants to senior managers and first-level directors earning in the six figures - were placed in "cube farms" surrounded by phone and personal conversations on all sides. The situation cut down significantly on production levels, and it was a real issue when managers had to have private meetings with subordinates, always searching out an emoty conference room.

As I said, consider yourself fortunate and pray that your company doesn't eventually move to the cube farm model.

[Anonymous]

I would not move. People will try and run over you if you let them, therefore it's important to speak up for what you want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1. You got a decent raise
2. The office is near the new guy's team
3. Your new office will be near your own team
4. You telework a bunch so aren't even there every day.

Unless you are concerned that it is an indicator that you are poor performing and could lose your job, why would you be petty? And even if you are concerned, office space should be the least of your problems if your job is in jeopardy.

+1 to all of these reasons. Don't be petty OP.

[Anonymous]

Ya gotta give it up, OP.

I had to give up my awesome office that was located at the end the hall on the other side of the kitchen and across from a rarely used conference room and smaller bathroom for a new co-worker who needed to be as near the kitchen as possible for medical reasons.

Now I'm in a mostly okay office, is directly across from the highly used executive conference room.

[Anonymous]

You will have to move, but you don't have to just readily accept it. Make sure it is on the record that you don't want to switch offices, and it is an inconvenience on your part.
1) say No thank you.
2) If Ops persists, ask to check with your manager, and tell him/her that you would prefer to stay in your office.
Ask if they can perhaps take the office next to your instead
3) your manager will probably say, sorry you do have to move, because they need the space. but he/she will hopefully remember that you did them a favor

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You will have to move, but you don't have to just readily accept it. Make sure it is on the record that you don't want to switch offices, and it is an inconvenience on your part.
1) say No thank you.
2) If Ops persists, ask to check with your manager, and tell him/her that you would prefer to stay in your office.
Ask if they can perhaps take the office next to your instead
3) your manager will probably say, sorry you do have to move, because they need the space. but he/she will hopefully remember that you did them a favor

me again. I actually quit a job, partially because I hated my interior office. I always had offices with windows and I need sunlight to make me happy/productive. I tried painting my interior office and adding a plant to make it brighter, but it was just depressing, and I spent 9-10 hours a day in there.
I'm in a better job with a lovely office now.

[Anonymous]

OP: Move.

The office sounds fabulous, but it's not yours indefinitely. Your company can choose to move you at anytime.

And an annual raise of 3.4% is excellent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you should count your blessings in that your company still puts management staff in offices.

I worked for Fortune 500 company that put only senior directors and up in private (usually windowless) offices, while everyone else - from administrative assistants to senior managers and first-level directors earning in the six figures - were placed in "cube farms" surrounded by phone and personal conversations on all sides. The situation cut down significantly on production levels, and it was a real issue when managers had to have private meetings with subordinates, always searching out an emoty conference room.

As I said, consider yourself fortunate and pray that your company doesn't eventually move to the cube farm model.

Capital One?

[Anonymous]

I got bounced out of my office into the new open plan desk area in my late 40s. Two years later they laid me off as well as a bunch of other middle aged folks. Watch your back!